New fuel pump oil leak

[Mark H.]

A few days after installing a new fuel pump on my '64, I noticed it was wet at the bottom. Further inspection revealed that there is oil on the bottom of the pump. There does not appear to be any oil near the mounting bracket, or on the upper 2/3 of the pump. It is all on the bottom, below the line where the fuel line fittings screw in and around the gasket at the bottom. In looking at the old pump, there does not appear to be any way for oil to get down that low from the inside, but I see no leaks anywhere else. Has anyone come across this before? Thanks.

Mark

[Ed Jennings]

Re: New fuel pump oil leak

Mark, The leak almost has to be external, The only place for oil to come out of the pump without being mixed with gas would be the vents on the top of the pump. If these are dry, and the oil has no gas in it, the leak is probably coming from the bottom of the flange. It would be very difficult to see there. There are two gaskets in that area, the pump itself and the mounting plate. The air flow from the fan might be redistrubuting the oil to where it appears the pump itself is leaking when it's really not. Good luck.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: New fuel pump oil leak

Mark, The leak almost has to be external, The only place for oil to come out of the pump without being mixed with gas would be the vents on the top of the pump. If these are dry, and the oil has no gas in it, the leak is probably coming from the bottom of the flange. It would be very difficult to see there. There are two gaskets in that area, the pump itself and the mounting plate. The air flow from the fan might be redistrubuting the oil to where it appears the pump itself is leaking when it's really not. Good luck.

[John H.]

Re: New fuel pump oil leak

Mark -

Another possible source is the 3/8"-16 tapped hole in the boss right around the corner on the front of the block; this hole is supposed to have a short bolt in it with thread sealer on it, as it goes through to the fuel pump pushrod hole. Every now and then I see cars with leaks here, and the fan blows it around the side onto the bottom of the fuel pump.

[John H.]

Re: New fuel pump oil leak

Mark -

Another possible source is the 3/8"-16 tapped hole in the boss right around the corner on the front of the block; this hole is supposed to have a short bolt in it with thread sealer on it, as it goes through to the fuel pump pushrod hole. Every now and then I see cars with leaks here, and the fan blows it around the side onto the bottom of the fuel pump.

[Jack H.]

Yep

plus a lock washer to help keep the push rod retainer hole bolt in place....

[Jack H.]

Yep

plus a lock washer to help keep the push rod retainer hole bolt in place....